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CHAPTER ELEVENNôvel(D)rama.Org's content.
I was shocked to see him there, so that meant that he was here all along! Why didn’t he do something, anything to try to convince his father to let her go? I sighed when I realised that I have had enough of me sending myself into others business.
I walked away from the throne room making a vow and been a hundred percent determined that I would never get involved in the prince’s drama again. I had not gone far when I heard a shrill cry, I turned quickly in my steps to see Fiona crawling at the prince.
“You said you loved me, and yet you watch as they do this to me! You’re cruel, evil, and with a black heart!” one of the guards came to drag her away, as she continued to cry and scream.
“Please, Prince Edward! I don’t want to leave my family, my little sister! What am I going to do without my friends? Please, please…” The guards finally succeeded in taking her out of the throne room.
I stole a quick glance at the Prince, and saw that as the previous night he still was unmoved, he watched the whole thing happened with a look of wry amusement on his face.
“Who is that girl, Ed?” His father’s advisor walked up to him and asked, I think the maids said his name was Marco
“Oh, she’s a nobody, just an… unfortunate conquest.” He said still smirking.
“Nothing to worry about.” He finished with a short laugh.
Unfortunate conquest? nothing to worry about? He just watched a girl’s life get destroyed because of him, and that was all he could say? Was this the guy I was so bothered about offending, the one I kept trying to apologize to?
All Royals are the same after all, he was just as cruel and as cold as his father. He does not deserve my apology; he does not deserve anything. I walked back to my room and for a brief moment I seriously considered trying my luck in stealing that necklace of his again.
For the second time this past few weeks, I was awakened by the knock on my door, I wondered who it was this time around and what news the bearer has.
“The door is open…” I responded waiting for the huge bomb that might drop again. Roxane, one of the maids who had reassured me in the kitchen yesterday walked into my room, it took me hearing a maid call her name to be able to recollect what her name was.
“Why are you still in bed? Did you not know about the meeting?” She asked me with her eyes widened with the fact that I was still in bed.
“What meeting?” I questioned returning her surprised but mine was different.
“Madam Teresa is holding a meeting for all castle workers at the general hall. C’mon, dress up we’re already running late.” She rushed out. So Madam is holding a meeting, I sincerely wish it has nothing to do with what had been happening in the castle lately, I’ve had enough drama in one week than I know what to do with.
“Does she do this often?” I asked Roxane
“Do what, meetings?” She responded as her gaze met mine.
“Yes.” I answered.
“Well, I do not know about that, this would be the first meeting I will be attending. Why would you think she called it? Ohhhh, I heard one of the maids in the King’s chamber stole wine from the King’s cellar and was caught! Do you think it because…” she continued rambling but I zoned off and began to dress, I had enough on my mind as it is and I seriously do not need to add the weight of exaggerated gossip?
I and Roxane made our way swiftly to the hall, we entered and we saw the place packed to the brim, we could hardly find a place to sit, she was right after all we were late. Madam had already started her speech and we came not too long after.
“… these actions have extreme consequences. We must learn to desist from them, or be prepared to face the music. The King has declared that any commoner found mingling with Royals shall be exiled immediately.” I heard her continue from wherever she had stopped.
There was a rise in the drone of murmurs and very soon, the hall was very noisy. I looked around, and even the guards seem agitated by the declaration. Seems a lot of people have been mingling with Royals lately.
“Yes, yes, which is why we need to stick to the rules. I’m sure a lot of you have heard about Imelda’s unfortunate incident. I’m sure none of us would like a repetition of it…” She said raising her voice above the mummers, and the minute she said those words about Fiona like I was a human magnet a lot of people turned to look at me. Oh great, just great.
I went with my work as usual yet I could not help but feel guilty for what had happened to Fiona especially after this morning. I knew that those people would blame me unconsciously for the new declaration made by the King and they were in a way right. I caused all this and I just wished that I could…
“Alice.” I grimaced as I had begun to dread hearing her voice. I miss Meredith but I was no longer in her station, I turned my face to look at the Madam.
“Yes Madam Teresa.” I answered in the best polite tone I could get at the moment.
“The Prince has invited his friend, Stuart to the palace. Go serve them tea.” She said.
At this point, I could not help but think that she quite enjoys torturing me because why, of all the maids who would be excited to do this, why would she pick me? I knew she was expecting me to let out words of complain and beg her for another thing to do, but I already have decided that Prince Edward is most definitely not worth my fear.
“Yes Madam.” I replied and do I love the part of me that got pleased from the look of surprise on her face as I carry the tray of tea, and head to the courtyard.
I got there and I saw Prince Edward with a man with dark hair. It’s quite rare to see anyone, especially noble blood, with dark hair, it made him appear mysterious and brooding. As I dropped the tea on the table and curtsied, I looked at his eyes, just as dark and as mysterious as the rest of him, it is appealing and scary at the same time. He smiled at me and he was really handsome.
“What is your name.” He asked me in his deep voice.
“Um… I’m Alice.” I stuttered as I gave him a reply.
“Pleasure to meet you Alice, I’m Stuart.” He said, still smiling, he proceeded and he took my hands, his hands linger. I could not help but fidget a little because I was a bit uncomfortable with his forwardness. He was just too forward.
“What’s a pretty girl like you, doing here, serving tea in the castle? You should be dressed in the finest velvet, in a noble court…” He spoke in a soft voice
From the corner of my eye I saw Prince Edward glanced at Stuart, and I guessed he must have realized that his friend was flirting with the maid, Alice. For some reason, I saw that it made him very uncomfortable.
“Careful how you hold her hand, your watch just might go missing.” He suddenly said, I felt my heart dropped. I looked at him and for a brief moment I thought I saw guilt flash between his eyes. It was immediately Stuarts eyes widen, as he let go of my hands.
“What, she’s a thief?” Stuart exclaimed out, I gave him long hateful stare.
“Oh yes, she tried to steal my necklace at the market once…” He was not able to finish his words as Stuart’s irritating laugh rings through the court yard. Out of the corner of his eye, I knew Edward saw my embarrassed blush which lit my face, the fact that he was looking at me made it worse.
“Get us more tea, Alice. Or should I calm you, thief?” Stuart said, laughing at his own stupid joke. I glance at Edward who winced at Stuart’s joke and then I looked at Stuart, who is now snorting, laughing at God knows what. I grabbed the tea tray and walked to the kitchen, I felt anger boiled in me, I’ll show them.
Edward was in the stable with Stuart, looking at horses when he first felt a faint pain in his stomach. Stuart glanced at him with concern.
“You okay, Ed?” Edward shook his head, and suddenly was filled with annoyance for no particular reason.
“You know, there was no reason for you to be rude to Alice.” He said, clutching his stomach. The faint pain was now more pronounced.
“What do you mean? You’re living with a thief, who tried to rob you. Why haven’t you reported her yet she… arrghh” Stuart said, clutching his stomach. That was the last thing Edward heard as the world went pitch black.